50 Best Barbeque Restaurants near El Cerrito

“My favorite place to get Chinese food. I’ve tried a lot of spots in Richmond and this place is by far my favorite. The food is freshly made and you can taste the quality of their ingredients. My go to is beef and broccoli with fried rice. I’m from the East Coast and Chinese food out there tastes way different than over here (and better in my opinion). Frannie’s is the closest I’ve gotten to back home <3 So good. My partner loves their Mongolian beef. The staff is friendly and it’s not a long wait. I HIGHLY recommend you try them out!“

“TL:DR -
I'm definitely going to go back 😀

We tried #18 (Loco Moco) and #1 (Hawaiian BBQ Mix).

Gravy (way) too salty. I'd ask for half as much.
My partner got an extra side, since the BBQ Mix was a dry rub.

Order at the counter ‼️

I had multiple issues with the touchscreen menu 💢 and then finally had to order at the counter anyway.“

“Incredible food, well seasoned and juicy meats. The service is top notch, they're always looking for feedback and sometimes they seed samples to customers to try as their menu expands. A warm welcoming space for all. There is also a projector playing anime and apparel you can purchase as well. Help yourself to a sticker or two, free with your order.“

“Cute little restaurant. We ordered cucumber salad, bbq chicken set and bbq char siu set. Everything tastes so good. Very very high food quality. A lot of flavors. The spicy and numbing cucumber salad is the BEST I have had in the US. Not exaggerating.

It’s counter service and they have discounts for cash. Staff is very friendly. Great neighborhood restaurant for everyday eats. Would come back again when we are in Berkeley next time.“

“5/5 SO SO YUMMYYY!!! This hit the spot 😍😩 We actually came here after another meal that we weren’t satisfied with. The best were 1. Chicken skewers and 2. Taiwanese sausage skewers. The seaweed salad was also excellent. Next time we’ll come for a proper meal and get some much more!“

“Chef Horn, is something special💯“

“Happy Hour tacos and beer today! The al pastor and brisket tacos pictured were so juicy, tender, and flavorful! 100% recommend! Definitely coming back! 🔥😋“

“The most tender brisket I may have had anywhere. 🥰🥰“

“Ordered 1/2lb of Brisket, 1/2rack of pork ribs, Vaquero Beans, Arroz verde, Texas frito pie. The only thing my wife and I weren't happy with was the brisket (a bit dry and tough). Everything else was stellar!!! Will definitely go back! Next time we'll leave off the brisket and try the chicken instead. Yum!“

“These have to be the best ribs I’ve had in a long time.“

“great food great price you will be back“

“Every single meat cut was cooked to perfection!! The menu is also designed very balanced, with vegetables and steamed eggs between meat courses to balance out the flavors. Chris helped us grill the meat and he’s such a delight to chat with!“

“Orders the following for a total of $33.
Sausage link: 5/5 seasoned and cooked well with your choice of sauce.

Brisket chili: 3/5 chunky full of meat but lacks flavor.

Mac & cheese: 3/5 cheesy but lacks flavor

*** idea I tried - mix the chili with the mac and cheese - still lacked flavor.

they put their foot in them greens

Potato salad: 5/5 very good!“

“I visited Mashita Galbi Jjim on a Sunday evening around 6 PM with a party of four, and to my surprise, there was no wait—we were seated right away. With only two staff members working the floor, the restaurant still managed a steady rhythm of service. The space itself is inviting, with a high ceiling that makes it feel airy, a clean bathroom (always a plus), and a generally cozy environment that sets the stage for a comfortable meal.

For food, we ordered two dishes: the pork tonkatsu and their signature galbi jjim. The tonkatsu arrived quickly, golden and crispy, delivering the kind of satisfying crunch and savory bite you’d expect from a well-executed cutlet. The galbi jjim, however, was a different story. It took about 30 minutes to reach our table, which seems to be the norm based on observing other tables. While the wait did build anticipation, it also disrupted the pacing of the meal. When it did arrive, the flavors were solid—rich, hearty, and braised with care—but not quite at the level of depth or complexity I’ve had elsewhere. Personally, I still prefer Daeho’s version, which leans more memorable in both flavor and overall experience.

Service was professional and efficient given the limited staff, though not particularly warm or engaging. It felt more functional than personal, but everything we needed was taken care of without issue.

In terms of ambiance, Mashita balances casual comfort with a slightly polished feel, making it a nice spot for a relaxed meal with friends or family.

Value-wise, the restaurant is fairly priced for the quality and portion sizes. While the food is solid and the dining experience smooth overall, I didn’t find it compelling enough to make this my go-to spot for galbi jjim.

Final verdict: 4/5. A reliable option with cozy ambiance and decent execution, but not quite distinctive enough to stand out in a city with strong competition.“

“Picked up dinner twice this week. Delicious.“

“I recommend the family style dish, gives you an opportunity to try all the different types of meat and sides!“

“las personas muy amigables con los niños...comida riquísima y muy buena presentación“

“We got the Supreme Set A for three people a bit to much food for 3 but go figure it feeds 4-5 people. But overall food and sides were hella good kimchi sour level was great and meat well seasoned. The staff were very attentive and even cooked all the meat for us. Definitely gonna be coming back“

“This place has the best Chinese barbecue especially Empress chicken, which is my favorite. They used to be in San Leandro and I’m so glad they moved to Oakland. I used to drive from Oakland to San Leandro just to buy their barbecue now longer need to make that trek. So happy they are in Chinatown now“

“The smoke salmon is absolutely delicious“

“Want to know what the food was like 60 years ago? The Embers keeps tradition alive with outstanding Hickey Pit style BBQ. Takes me back to the days before LSD, long hair and psychedelic music., when surfers were renegades, teenagers raced on the Great Highway and rock and rock was recorded on 2 tracks.
Long Live the Embers.“

“Such a great experience eating at this restaurant. The service was top notch and the pizza was to die for.“

“Saw this place in Instagram and pinned it to my list to go to in Chinatown.

The menu is extensive and has a little bit for everyone’s craving for the day. You know it’s a good sign when you walk in and you hear the uncs and aunties yappin. It just means this place is authentic !

The Satay Beef Noodle soup was great. It has a spice in it I can’t pinpoint, but it made it unique to any other beef noodle soup I’ve had. I was expecting a taste closer to bun bo hue, but no it’s something different. Still very tasty! The cucumbers innit was a surprise and it worked very well.

The chicken wings came out piping hot and crunchy. The chicken itself didn’t have much flavor tho.

The chow fun is something I’d order again. The beef was cooked with a Smokiness flavor to it.

This spot accepts card for payment, so I am happy that I didn’t have to pull money at an ATM. The staff is very friendly and can give recommendations“

“On my way to the Bayfair farmer’s market I saw a guy bbq out on the sidewalk today. After the market, I decided to stop and long behold I found this place! 😄. had the delicious “Thank Que bowl and lumpia”. So fresh, tasty and delicious! I will be back.....thank u Chef Rene!“

“Vowed to myself I ain’t leaving Sanfo this time without trying this place. And it didn’t disappoint. Ambience is immaculate. Service was topnotch. And the food is DIVINE. Definitely worth coming back to. I hope they open a branch in LA.“

“The food was truly authentic and exceptional, with incredible flavors. I was warmly welcomed by the friendly staff and decided to try the BBQ pork plate. It exceeded all expectations and has likely set the bar so high that standard ‘Chinese food’ places will never compare.“

“Good food, great place for duck, Asian BBQ pork and BBQ ribs etc. Large amount of menu items. Their egg Foo young is amazing. Picture is their wonton and egg noodles with Peking duck pretty good. 11.00+ unfortunately, they haven’t allowed dine in since the start of the Covid pandemic. Prices have also raised $3.00 plus per item since then .“

“I've been here more times than I can count. I've eaten at multiple KBBQ spots to find a place that can best this one...can't find it!

The pork belly at Jong Ga house might be the best quality I've ever eaten. It just melts in your mouth(assuming that you cook it right, of course).

I can't praise this place enough.“

“I drove from Vallejo to try this place and boy was I disappointed. starting with the 90$ meal, the meat was so dry I could not even eat it The pulled pork tasted like sawdust, the ribs were dry,and the brisket and tri tip are horrible. the potato salad was very loose, and the green beans were burnt, had I lived in the area I would have brought it all back. fix the issues word of mouth can truly hurt your business. because I am writing this review on multiple sights.“

“Loved the pulled pork loaded Mac“

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I recently visited CJ’S and I can't say enough good things about my experience! The customer service was absolutely top-notch—every staff member was friendly, attentive, and genuinely seemed to care about making our visit enjoyable.
The BBQ itself was out of this world! Food had so much flavor, and you could really taste the quality of the ingredients. The smoked meats were perfectly cooked.. I especially loved the ribs.. so good

The atmosphere was laid-back and inviting ..I also appreciated the great selection of sides and sauces that complemented the main dishes perfectly.

All in all, CJ’S is a must-visit for BBQ lovers. I can’t wait to go back for another delicious meal. Highly recommend!“

“This is our local, “go to” place whenever we’re craving Korean food. It never disappoints. At night, they generally project K-pop music videos onto a large wall, which brings the whole room to life. Lotsa fun!“

“a ton of food options, check new shops like Rov's Craft Kitchen“

“Excellent food , as good as any Hawaiian BBQ“

“I recommend: The Great uplifting environment very peaceful and Friendly.“

“Sandwiches, Ribs, Steaks, Deli Salads, Marinated Tri Tips and more.“

“first time eating here. great place, great food. Nadir was very attentive and made sure everything was going well“

“First timer, great experience and great food! Loved it! Will be going back.“

“Dear beautifully lady at the counter: I love you. Not just because you are beautiful...but because you make sure they don't skimp on the extra Mac salad“

“Got the chicken katsu dish. Katsu is very crisp, use thigh meat, sauce is good, habanero sauce is killer, some pieces of katsu mostly breading with how thin the meat got but a large portion and so I do not feel skimped on meat overall. Steamed cabbage and broccoli provided give a nice break to the grease. Mac is on par with l&l. Would eat here again“

“Incredible! The katsu chicken and crispy shrimp were still piping hot and insanely crispy after being delivered. Mac Salad and Spam Musubi also super flavourful not to mention the portion sizes. Delicious food and awesome bang for your buck“

“Great Food! And Very nice Small Restaurant“

“I loved the hospitality that I received from Chef Henrik's and the food that was delicious, every bite was an explosion of flavor, everything was very good.

I loved the hospitality I received from Chef Henrik's and the food was delicious, every bite was an explosion of flavor, everything was very good.

I loved the hospitality I received from chef Henrik's and the food was delicious, every bite was an explosion of flavor, everything was very good“

“Every time I stop by this place,I pick up 1 or 2 of their baked char siu bao. I usually finish them before I can walk 2 or 3 blocks away but hey they're meant to be enjoyed. It's not a typical char siu bao because this one has a sweet soft white crust on top that's almost reminiscent of a pineapple buns top. It costs $2 each and it's worth a try if you want to experience a variant on the char siu bao.

The ladies working there are friendly and efficient. It's a small shop so it's best as a grab and go place.“

“My dad used to drink there in the 1980s and the Asian husband and wife couple who owned the bar bought him a last drink and told him never to come backThe bar was closed for about 10 or 20 years in the 1990s and the 2000sMy favorite part of the bar is spinning the wheel and trying my luck at free drinks cuz half the time it's a l**** deal but half the time it's a winner deal it's a nice bar most people are really coolFor a while they had a 8-bit Nintendo system and I'd play Castlevania and Super Mario Bros over and over again but they do have some arcade games and pinball games really nice“

“The food is good, the portions are generous, and the prices are a bargain. The restaurant seems to cater towards the student lunch crowd, so the lines can get long.
I have tried the kimchi fried rice, the popcorn chicken, and the beef Bulgari, and I can recommend them all“

“A little overpriced, but what isn't. The food is always good. Portions are hit or miss. I was full on my last visit, and I like that they have a low carb option. I've had the pork, beef, and chicken and it's all good. Need to try the seafood some time. Self serve water is always a nice touch.

Parking: Good luck finding parking.“

“Man it was good, but how can you be a Hawaiian BBQ place without a LOCO MOCO on the menu?! That needs to get added immediately“

“Having been away from Richmond for over 25 years, I found myself home and looking for fish on Friday I went to where "Cutting Fish & Poultry" used to be.Thank God that Boulevard Fish had moved in.The catfish and oysters were amazing and not greasy, they were cooked to perfection.I had to return, and every time I'm home in the Bay Area I will be back.You will love Boulevard Fish, it's fresh, tasty, and filling.“

“Went to dinner with a few of my lady friends after seeing a show in the city, this was the perfect ending to a phenomenal day. I had the crab cakes and they were delish, a couple of people in my group had the fried chicken/fried catfish combo and that looks delicious as well. I highly recommend Lizzy’s Cajun Cafe.“